Rossland: Trail capital of Greater Trail

By Andrew Zwicker

As the self-proclaimed Mountain Bike Capital of Canada, Rossland loves its trails. With an envious asset of hundreds of kilometers of maintained and unofficial trails surrounding our fair city, perhaps the 'Trail capital of Canada' would be more appropriate? Either way, be you a mountain biker, hiker, trail runner, dog, cross country skier or stray bear looking for an easy walking route, there is no denying that Rosslanders love their trails and make very good use of them. 

Impressed by the trail system that was coming together around Rossland and how well taken care of it was, Patrick Kinghorn wanted to do something to help the cause.

 “I was always impressed how I'd be riding a trail and a tree or something might be down and a week or less later someone had come in and cleared the trail and cleaned it up. It was a real treat to have this great trail system coming together. I'm an avid mountain biker as is my wife, so I thought it would be good to get out there, plan a day, and get everyone out there to either build a new trail or fix a trail and learn how to do it along the way.” 

Several years ago, in the spirit of giving back to the roots, boulders, skinny's, ladders and teeter totters that are so loved around town, Kinghorn organized the annual Trails Day. 

“If I don't plan this or get out and do my bit, you know, I don't feel as good about riding the trails. So that's really why I got it started,” explained Kinghorn. 

This year will mark the sixth annual edition of the event, taking place on Saturday June 5th. 

Along with partners the Kootenay Columbia Trails Society (KCTS), Revolution Cycles and the Alpine Grind, Kinghorn pulled the event together as a real grassroots effort. Now six years on, five trails have been built with a sixth on the way. The often hard physical work is a labour of love with 30 to 40 people coming out to take part. Indeed, getting a good crew out has never been a challenge for Kinghorn. 

“Depending on the trail, it's a lot of humping rocks, clipping roots and real grunt work but it's really fun. It's an easy one to organize; I just put out a few e-mails and and it comes together. I'm always a bit nervous on the Saturday morning waiting for people in the Centennial trailhead parking lot, but then all of a sudden cars start showing up and the people are ready to rock.” 

Over the last two years the Trail's Day volunteer crew worked hard at creating the Tamarack Trail. This year the event will be tackling a new section near Miner's trail, developing some new single-track in that area. 

Of course, all good work doesn't go unrewarded. Supporters of the event, KCTS and the Alpine Grind, work together to provide a potluck and the required keg of beer for the after party. 

If you want to participate this year, all you need is a set of gloves and enough food and water for a day spent out in the woods. KCTS provides some tools; however, if you have your own, you're welcome to bring them along. Just don't bring your chainsaw or you'll have to take it back home. 

“I committed to organizing this day for ten years and see where we stand then, so I'm on the backside of that ten now in our sixth year--and we're going strong! It's a fun day and I'd encourage everyone to come out and pitch in. It's hard work, but the results are clear and of course nobody complains about a potluck and beer afterward,” concluded Kinghorn.

 
The group meets at the Centennial Trail head at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 5. This year volunteers will be able to walk to the work site, making access that much easier. See you out there!